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Extraordinary Arab Summit, 1985: Final Communiqué

Extraordinary Arab Summit

Final Communiqué

(Excerpts)

Casablanca, 7-9 August 1985

Within the framework of the discussion of the various developments which the Palestinian issue is going through, the conference heard a detailed explanation from his Majesty King Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and brother Yasir Arafat, chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, regarding the Jordanian-Palestinian agreement which was signed in Amman on 11 February 1985. The conference recorded with full appreciation the detailed explanations submitted by His Majesty King Hussein and brother Yasir Arafat about the compatibility between the Jordanian-Palestinian action plan and the Fez Plan and considers it an action plan for implementing the Arab peace plan for the realization of a peaceful, just, and comprehensive settlement guaranteeing the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from all the occupied Arab territories, at the forefront of which is Holy Jerusalem, and the regaining of the firm national rights of the Palestinian Arab people. And after dealing with this issue in an extensive study, from all aspects, the conference confirms the need to continue the collective Arab adherence to the spirit, principles, and resolutions of the Fez summit conference.

The conference confirms its previous resolutions concerning the Palestinian problem, its backing and support for the PLO in its capacity as sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian Arab people, and its support for its efforts aimed at securing the firm national rights of the Palestinian people. It also confirms the right of the Palestinian people to the independence of its national decision and to not allow any side to interfere in its internal affairs.

The conference considers that the holding of an international conference within the framework of the UN facilitates the achievement of peace in the Arab region, with the presence and participation of the U.S.S.R., the United States, and other permanent members of the Security Council, and with the presence and participation of the PLO, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people alongside the other concerned parties.

The conference salutes the steadfastness of the Palestinian Arab people in the occupied Arab areas and their growing struggle against the forces of Israeli occupation, and the conference affirms its commitment to supporting this steadfastness and its development to confront the expansionist plans which seek to Judaize Palestinian territory and render the sons of the Palestinian people homeless.

The conference affirms its condemnation of the terrorist and racist practices of the Israeli occupation authorities in occupied Arab and Palestinian territories, and it appeals to world public opinion to sup­port the Palestinian and Arab people in their resistance to these practices which contradict international laws and human rights. It also appeals to the world community to take practical measures to stand in the way of the Zionist practices.

It affirms previous commitments to giving material political and media support to the PLO-the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and leader of their struggle to recover their usurped rights.

Regarding the suffering endured by the Palestinian camps after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and the massacres and slaughters that ensued; in order to guard against the dangers of displacement and destitution which threaten the Palestinian existence in those camps; and in order to ensure the safety of this existence and the rights of the Palestinian people to work and movement; and to strengthen Lebanese-Palestinian fraternal ties, the conference calls on the Lebanese government and the PLO to cooperate and coordinate between themselves in whatever concerns Palestinian affairs and protects the Palestinian camps in Lebanon, in accordance with the agreements concluded between them.

The conference also stresses that it will strive to implement the resolutions which the Arab League Council adopted at its emergency session on 8 and 9 June 1985.

The conference expresses extreme concern about the worsening conditions in Lebanon, in a manner which threatens the fate and unity of Lebanese soil and people. The conference affirms that it will assist and support the Lebanese people and its government to oppose the plans which seek to dismember and partition Lebanon, and in order to enable Lebanon to eliminate the sectarian sedition which is manipulated by the hostile forces.

The conference also affirms the importance of a stable Lebanon, the need to preserve its unity and security, and the need to end Israeli occupation of all its territory.

Committed to the principles in which the Arab nation believes, and inspired by its civilization and deep-rooted origin and ancient traditions, the conference strongly condemns terrorism in all its shapes, forms, and origins, and foremost Israeli terrorism inside and outside the occupied Arab areas. It considers that resorting to terrorism does not run parallel with the lofty ideals of humanity ....

 

Source: Journal of Palestine Studies, vol. xv, no 1, Autumn 1985.